Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 | Cancer Support

13 May 2024 — david-allen

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place 13th to 19th May and this year's theme is "Movement: Moving more for our mental health".

Staying active is very important to our health and wellbeing, but particularly for those living with cancer to support life during and post treatment.

It has long been established that with our body and minds are connected and that physical activity is proven to help our mental health. Movement during your cancer journey can sometimes be restricted, but with the right help and guidance, it is an advantageous addition to your routine.

Here we take a look at 3 of the national services offering physical support to those living with cancer this Mental Health Awareness Week.

Move Dance Feel

This online community project offers free online dance sessions for women living with or beyond cancer. The sessions have a simple aim, to be fun and social and are centred around creative expression. No prior dance experience is necessary and classes take place twice a week.

Macmillan Move More

The team at Macmillan has developed an exercise programme for people living with cancer that will help keep you active. The website features several videos to allow you to take part from home or there are dozens of in-person programmes across the UK - simply search "Move More" and enter your postcode on our map to find your nearest service.

Move Against Cancer

This support charity to set up with a simple aim; to inspire, support and empower people to move against cancer. The organisation now has almost 100 "5K Your Way" groups across the UK where you can walk, jog or run 5K alongside others living with cancer. There is also a free 8-week one-to-one online support programme for 13-30 year olds living with & beyond cancer.

Further Mental Health Support

Looking after your mental health is important in all ways, so aside from physical movement, there are still many organisations that offer chat forums or support groups where you can ask questions to others in a similar position to yourself:

Cancer Research UK – Cancer Chat
This online forum allows people from all over the country to chat to one another in their online cancer community allowing people to share experiences and offer advice and support covering a range of topics.

Cancer Support UK
This UK charity offers a peer support course developed by experts for encouragement and emotional support. They also offer Cancer Kits including a range of practical items.

Betterhelp
E-counselling website that offers online access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counsellors. 

Macmillan Cancer Support
This online community from Macmillan is a free online place for people living with or who are affected by cancer to chat about the issues affecting them with people who have had similar experiences.